Duck caller



May 27, 1952 G. L. KENDRICK 2,598,268

DUCK CALLER Filed Dec. 30, 1947 GEORGE L. KENDR/CK dun/m1, sfeqi/n, Roman ewmmw "roe/vars Patented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUCK CALLER George L. Kendrick, Shreveport, La.

Application December 30, 1947, Serial No. 794,707

Claims. 1 The present invention relates to wind instrument devices for producing tones resembling the calls of birds, and has particular reference to a reed instrument which may be referred to as a duck caller, for reproducing the call of the duck. An object of the invention is to provide a duck caller having improved tonal quality, which is adjustable as to tone and characterized by improved operating efficiency.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reed wind instrument capable of producing true, clear tones resembling the call of the duck, the tone being adjustable between extremes of fine and coarse tones.

A further object is to provide a duck caller of such construction that the tonal qualities thereof are unaffected by temperature variations which normally modify the vibrational characteristics of the reed.

Yet a further object is to provide a duck caller of simple and inexpensive construction, and which may be assembled and disassembled easily for purposes of parts replacement and cleansing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device;

Figure 2 is a view in longitudinal cross section;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

In its broadest application, the invention contemplates the provision of a reed wind instrument capable of reproducing tones resembling the call of the duck. Means are provided for anchoring the reed in such manner as to eliminate variation in tonal quality through kinking of the reed, or other defective operation of the reed attributable to variations in atmospheric temperature and humidity normally encountered throughout the hunting season.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral IIJ refers to a barrel or case longitudinally bored to provide a chamber I I extending the length thereof. As shown best in Figure 2, the diameter of the chamber II is expanded abruptly to form a shoulder I2 terminating in internally threaded portions I3 of a longitudinally extending wall Id of the barrel II).

A plug or cap I5 is provided with an extension I6 threaded externally at IT for engagement with the internal threads I3 of the barrel extension I4. The plug I5 is provided with a longitudinally extending bore IB, forming a tone chamber. It will be observed that the extension I6 of the plug I5 is appreciably shorter than the barrel extension I4 of the barrel I9, whereby a space 20 is defined between the terminal portions of the extension I6 and the shoulder I2 of the barrel, permitting of pressure-tight assembly of the parts now to be described.

A reed support is indicated generally at 2| and comprises a base '22 round in cross section and of a diameter less than the chamber defined by the extension I4 of the barrel I 9, and larger than the inside diameter of the barrel I9. The base 22 is provided with a longitudinally extending member 23 bored to provide a wind tunnel 24 extending through the reed support 2| and opening into the bore I8 of the plug l5, which serves as a tone chamber. The base 22 is slotted at 25 forming a socket just above the wind tunnel 24 to receive the non-vibrating end of a reed 26 re-- movably secured therein by a bushing or wedge 27 preferably formed of rubber or similar material, the reed 26 resting firmly upon an extension 28 forming a solid base therefor. The provision of this solid base 28 for the non-vibrating end of the reed 29 has the important advantage of eliminating tonal variation induced by instability of support provided for the reed, as well as strengthening the entire reed assembly 2I. Further, this construction eliminates kinking of the reed characteristically induced by pressure of the bushing 2'! or other securing means thereon, when conditions of elevated temperature and humidity prevail.

When it is desired to modify the tone produced by the device, this may be accomplished by means of a tone modifier 29 adapted for insertion in the bore I8 of th plug I5. The element 29 preferably may comprise a bushing of resilient material of larger diameter than the bore I8 and capable of compression for insertion therein, such as rubber. To this end, the element 29 is formed with a longitudinally extending bore 39 provided with a radially extending slot 3|, permitting of compression of the opposed sides 32 of the element adjacent the slot SI for purposes of insertion in the bore I8. Release of the compressing force on the sides 32 secures the element 29 in place and ensures the maintenance of the parts in tight fitting relationship, but movable longitudinally relative to each other for purposes of defining a tone chamber for tone adjustment. In the embodiment of the invention shown, if a small tone chamber is defined in the bore I 8 by the element 29 and the reed base 2|, a fine tone is produced. As the tone chamber is enlarged by movement of the element 29 outwardly, a coarser tone is produced. Thus, the device may be adjusted to attain maximum efiectiveness for operation in all types of hunting terrain and weather conditions.

In assembling the device, the reed assembly 2| is inserted in the barrel It so that the base 22 abuts the shoulder H of the casing. The plug l then is screwed into the barrel l8, positioning the reed assembl firmly in place with a positive pressure. The tone modifying element 29 is then compressed, inserted in the bore l8, and longitudinally adjusted for desired tonal characteristic.

The main component parts of the device may be manufactured from metal, plastics, wood, paper or other satisfactory materials. The device is so formed as to eliminate the production of off tone sounds, and may be adjusted to attain a desired true tone. The duck caller has the further advantage of being small and compact in size.

While the invention has been described with reference to the specific structure shown, obvious modifications in the interrelation of parts and materials employed will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The invention is to be limited in scope only as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A duck caller comprising a barrel section having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, said bore having an inlet end and an outlet end and abruptly increasing in diameter to form a shoulder and a bore extension of increased diameter at the outlet end, a base member having an end of greater diameter than the bore and smaller diameter than the bore extension, said base member positioned within the bore with said end against the shoulder, a wind tunnel extending longitudinally through said base member, a reed supported in the base member extending along one side of the wind tunnel, said bore extension being interiorly threaded, a plug having an exteriorly threaded extension thereon engaging the threads of said bore section and pressing the end of the base member against the shoulder to hold it firmly in position, a bore extending through the plug, and a tone modifier longitudinally adjustable in the bore in the plug partially blocking said bore for control of the tone of the caller.

2. A duck caller as described in claim 1 in which the tone modifier comprises a resilient member 4 normally of slightly larger diameter than the bore in the plug, a radial slot extending longitudinally through the resilient member whereby the resilient member may be compressed for insertion in the bore of the plug.

3. A duck caller comprising a barrel section having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, said bore having an inlet end and an outlet end, a base member positioned Within said bore, a wind tunnel extending longitudinally through said base member, a reed supported at one end in the base member extending along one side of the wind tunnel, the supported end of the reed being towards the outlet end of the bore, a tone modifier adjustable longitudinally in the bore between the base member and the outlet end thereof, said tone modifier partially blocking the bore between the base member and the out let for controlling the tone of the caller.

4. A duck caller as described in claim 3 in which the tone modifier comprises a resilient member normally of slightly larger diameter than the bore, a radial slot extending longitudinally through the resilient member whereby the resilient member may be compressed for insertion in the bore.

5. A duck caller as described in claim 3 in which the tone modifier comprises a resilient member REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 333,094 Fuller Dec. 22, 1885 488,238 Young Dec. 20, 1892 813,853 Brunner Feb. 27, 1906 953,108 Summers Mar. 29, 1910 1,558,934 Sherrill Oct. 27, 1925 1,797,277 Thomas Mar. 24, 1931 1,883,720 Grimes Oct. 18, 1932 1,937,555 Estler Dec. 5, 1933 2,364,820 Rosander Dec. 12, 1944 

